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Influenza epidemics affect 5-15% of Global population annually and cause severe illness in 3-5 million and 250,000 - 500,000 deaths worldwide. According to the result of data collected from 1979 -2001 E.C killed 41,400 people in USA alone. In April 2009 a novel H1N1 influenza sub-type was identified in (Veracruz) Mexico and quickly spread worldwide. Magnitude of the pandemic is more pronounced in some of WHO regions, however only 24 countries in Africa have confirmed the presence of H1N1(As of 2nd week of November 2009). Ethiopia identified its first two cases of H1N1 influenza on June 16 2009 through October 30 2009. The objective of this study was to undertake epidemiological investigation on H1N1 pandemic in the country to determine its magnitude, identify risk factors & describe the outbreak and use findings for intervention.
Methods: - Surveillance data was reviewed and Clinical examination was done on 80 suspected cases meeting case definition criteria. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from cases and contacts and analysed by RT-PCR for the presence of H1N1 virus.
Results: Out of 80 suspected cases investigated 12 (15 %) were confirmed H1N1 cases. Cause of introduction of H1N1 pandemic to the country was via International travel from various regions of the world and no confirmed cases of H1N1 virus was obtained after laboratory testing of nasopharyngeal swabs collected from contacts. Even though the outbreak which occurred in Addis Ababa was that of mild in severity magnitude of the problem could be higher if proper ongoing active surveillance activities had not been undertaken.
Conclusion: - Impact of the outbreak was limited due to prompt intervention activities undertaken and further active surveillance activities have to be implemented to prevent and control possible future spread of the pandemic.
Key words: - H1N1 pandemic, close contact, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Learning Objectives: To investigate introduction, identify risk factors and risk groups to H1N1 pandemic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and use findings to prevent and control further spread of the epidemic in the country